“Exactly where we always end up when you drag me into your bedroom.” His hands continue to slide farther south. “Which means this was your plan all along.”
“My plan was a fashion consultation. You’re the one who got all hot and bothered by the purple suit.”
“You had to know what seeing you in that suit would do to me. This is entrapment.”
“That’s a serious accusation.” I lean toward him, close enough that our noses almost touch. “Do you have any evidence?”
“Tons. But I’m willing to be bribed to keep quiet.”
“What kind of bribe are we talking about?” I let my lips brush against his jaw, barely a touch.
He flips us over in one smooth motion that reminds me he’s got actual upper-body strength from his job. I end up on my back with his body encasing me. “I’ll show you.”
And then there’s no more talking, just his mouth on mine and his hands everywhere, my leg hooking around his waist for leverage, his weight pressing me into the mattress in the best way. The purple suit watches from its hanger in the closet, probably judging us for our complete lack of sophistication, but that’s okay. Sophistication is overrated.
Walkinginto the awards ceremony the following evening, I can’t help noticing people’s stares. Their eyes seem to drift from my suit to my face, then snag there for a few seconds before returning to my suit.
But honestly, every glance, every double-take, is worth it for how Jared’s looking at me right now.
He keeps finding excuses to touch me, his hand on my lower back, and it makes me stand taller. For the first time since my accident, I feel powerful in my own skin.
We stop by the display showing photos of all the award recipients alongside descriptions of their acts of bravery. Jared’s photo shows him looking professional in his paramedic uniform, nothing like the man who sang Disney songs in the shower this morning.
“Jared!” A voice booms across the room. A tall guy with sandy hair and an infectious grin bounds over to us like an enthusiastic golden retriever. When he sees me, his smile only broadens. “This must be the famous Felix.”
Jared has told his colleagues about me? I try not to look too pleased about this revelation.
“Famous?” I raise an eyebrow at Jared, who looks slightly sheepish.
“This is Ryan,” Jared says quickly. “We work together. Ryan, Felix.”
Ryan gives me a wink. “Nice to finally meet the reason for all of Jared’s mysterious smiles.”
Before I can fully process that, a slender man with dark curls appears at Ryan’s elbow. “I’m Cody,” he says, offering me a handshake. “I apologize in advance for my husband.”
“Hey! I’m delightful,” Ryan protests.
“You’re definitely something,” Cody agrees fondly.
We make our way over to a table where someone has already placed name cards.
“So, I don’t think you’ve ever told me how you two met,” Ryan says to Jared as we sit down.
Jared hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck. Is he debating whether to go with the car accident or the random Halloween hookup between Darth Vader and Yoda? Or maybe he’s going to explain that we live down the hall from each other?
I answer for him.
“Jared actually saved me from a car accident about a year ago.”
Jared shifts in his seat awkwardly. “I didn’t save you. I just happened to be first on the scene and waited with you until help came.”
“You climbed down a tomo to rescue me.”
Ryan’s forehead creases. “You’ve never told me about that.”
“I was off-duty,” Jared says stiffly.
Jared still looks uncomfortable with the attention focused on him. Does he not want people to know about another heroic deed of his? Or is it considered against professional standards tohook up with someone you’ve rescued? Although the fact that he was off-duty would mitigate that, wouldn’t it?
